Toronto, Canada’s largest city, has two distinct seasons that shape its character. Summers bring warm weather, bustling streets, vibrant markets, and adventures along Lake Ontario’s shores. Winters, with freezing temperatures, drive life indoors and even underground. But regardless of the season, Toronto offers plenty to explore. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame to see the Stanley Cup, shop at the lively St. Lawrence Market, or plan a day trip to Niagara Falls. Toronto’s diverse, multicultural energy ensures there’s always something to do—just make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather!
1. CN Tower
For many visitors, the CN Tower is the first iconic sight they spot from the airplane window as they approach Toronto. Completed in 1976, it once held the title of the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. While it may have lost that distinction, it remains the tallest tower in Canada. The breathtaking views from its observation decks continue to offer an unparalleled perspective of the city.
Occupying a prime 10-acre (4-hectare) site on the edge of Lake Ontario, the nonprofit Harbourfront Centre offers a jam-packed year-round program of events. The complex comprises more than 30 sights, including parks, outdoor and indoor performance venues, squares, art galleries, a boardwalk, artist studios, restaurants, and retail outlets.
3. Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario, the 14th-largest lake in the world but the smallest of the five Great Lakes, is divided in half by the U.S.-Canadian border. Its shores are home to two popular Canadian destinations: Toronto and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Known for its islands, beaches, wildlife, and waterfront trails, this beautiful body of water offers something for everyone.
The flashy urban scene of Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square is reminiscent of New York City’s Times Square. More than 56 million people visit this iconic spot every year, making it one of the busiest intersections in Canada. This is where you find glowing billboards, Eaton Centre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, and great spots to people-watch.
Eclectic, diverse, and graffiti-slathered, Toronto’s Kensington Market neighborhood is one of the city’s most distinctive enclaves. The district is packed with produce vendors, food sellers, vintage clothes shops, bric-a-brac boutiques, buskers, cafés, and restaurants, and attracts a steady stream of bohemian types.
Toronto’s Entertainment District lives up to its name with a variety of performing arts venues, clubs, and live sporting events. From symphony to jazz and blues, theater, and baseball games, it’s all happening. Other options for entertainment in the area include Canada’s iconic CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada.
A sacred site for Canadians—for whom ice hockey is a national obsession—the Hockey Hall of Fame holds a treasure trove of memorabilia, including the original Stanley Cup. Housed inside a grand 19th-century Bank of Montreal building, it also features interactive games including a virtual shoot-out where visitors can test their skills.